Assessment

Assessment. What does that word mean to you? Does it mean judging? Is it just a grade in a class? Is it how you see where you are at in life? Honestly, until this quarter that word meant very little to me. I had never really thought about assessing myself or anyone else until I started taking "Second Language Assessment" for my TESOL degree with Rich Robison. But since taking this class it seems that assessment is always on my mind.

Every time I interact with a test or think back on the tests I have taken over the years I assess them- I assess the assessment! I know I'm a complete nerd for liking this class, but I really do enjoy it. Learning about how to write tests and alternative forms of assessment has given me a new perspective on my past experiences as a student and on who I want to be as a teacher. There are some tests I look back on with the uttermost respect for my teachers. These were people who truly cared about my education and my growing as a human being. There are other tests that did not teach me or my professors anything. I have a large amount of anger (and pity) for teachers like this who didn't care enough about their students' learning to take the time to write and grade good tests.

I want to be a good teacher. I want to write good tests. I want to use other alternative assessment techniques that not only help my students learn more but also help me learn how to be a better teacher and give my students what they need. Assessment is nothing to take lightly, but then again neither is teaching. Think back at the people of influence in your life. Maybe you're not a nerd like me so they aren't your former school teachers, but chances are if someone influenced your life it's because they taught you something and more than likely they assessed you in some way. So here's a shout out to all of the amazing teachers in my life. You have shaped who I am, and I pray that someday I will have students who can say the same about me!

As for the other type of assessment (aka personal assessment), that is a whole different story. How do we assess ourselves physically, spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and in any other way? I don't think there is any easy way to do personal self-assessment, but it is important. I think journaling is one way to do this and if that is the case I have been doing a lot of self-assessment lately. Who am I as a student, friend, roommate, sister, daughter, co-worker, employee, or acquaintance. When I sit back and assess myself I cannot say that I am where I want to be. My assessments show me that I still have a lot to learn and that I have not passed the course yet. However, they also show me where I need to grow and where I struggle the most. Assessments are painful (after all, who likes taking a test?) but they are necessary for our growth. So at this season of my life I am learning to take the time for self-assessment and to pay attention to where I need to grow. A few of my findings (only a small portion of them): patience, humility, grace, service, and peace.

I pray that each of you will take the time today and throughout your lives for self-assessment. It is more valuable than I ever could have thought. Oh, and don't forget to go back and thank a teacher today. I'm sure there is one who could use the encouragement!